Outlet wall organizer

ABSTRACT

An organizer includes a base including an upper surface over a lower surface, and a frame or outlet cover, extending from the base and above the base for receiving or forming an outlet cover.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims priority to U.S. Application Ser. No. 62/212,959, filed on Sep. 1, 2015, titled “Outlet Wall Organizer”, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Charging of an electronic device requires using a charger that plugs to an outlet receptacle typically mounted to a wall and to a long wire extending therefrom that is plugged to the device to be charged. This is more of a problem in areas like a bathroom where space is limited, and items such as electric shavers and electric toothbrushes need to be charged.

SUMMARY

In an example embodiment, an organizer includes a base including an upper surface over a lower surface, and a frame extending from the base and above the base for receiving an outlet cover. In one example embodiment, the one of the at least one opening is vertically aligned with the frame. In another example embodiment, the organizer further includes at least one opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, the opening being of sufficient size for receiving at least one of an electrical cord or a plug there-through. In yet a further example embodiment, the organizer also includes a peripheral wall extending upward from the base. In a further example embodiment, the organizer also includes at least one projection extending from the base and below the base, wherein the projection includes opposite rounded notches. In yet a further example embodiment, the organizer also includes at least one support member extending below the base for contacting a wall surrounding an outlet.

In another example embodiment an organizer includes a base including an upper surface over a lower surface, and an outlet cover extending from the base and above the base. In a further example embodiment, the organizer further includes at least one opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, the opening being of sufficient size for receiving at least one of an electrical cord or a plug there-through. In one example embodiment, the one of the at least one opening is vertically aligned with the frame. In yet a further example embodiment, the organizer also includes a peripheral wall extending upward from the base. In a further example embodiment, the organizer further includes at least one projection extending from the base and below the base, wherein the projection includes opposing rounded notches. In yet a further example embodiment, the organizer also includes at least one support member extending below the base for contacting a wall surrounding an outlet.

In another example embodiment, an organizer includes a base including an upper surface over a lower surface, a frame extending from the base and above the base, and an outlet cover mounted onto an outlet at a wall and sandwiching at least part of the frame between the outlet cover and at least one of the wall and the outlet. In yet a further example embodiment, the organizer also includes at least one opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, the opening being of sufficient size for receiving at least one of an electrical cord or a plug there-through. In one example embodiment, the one of the at least one opening is vertically aligned with the frame. In another example embodiment, the organizer further includes a recessed frame portion extending from the frame, wherein at least a portion of the recessed frame portion is sandwiched between the outlet cover and at least one of the wall and the outlet. In yet another example embodiment, at least part of the frame surrounds the outlet cover. In yet a further example embodiment, the organizer also includes a peripheral wall extending upward from the base. In a further example embodiment, the organizer further includes at least one projection extending from the base and below the base, wherein the projection includes opposing rounded notches. In yet a further example embodiment, the organizer also includes at least one support member extending below the base for contacting a wall surrounding an outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outlet wall organizer of an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the wall organizer shown in FIG. 1 mounted on a wall outlet with two devices being rested thereon.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the organizer shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION

In an example embodiment, an organizer 10 is provided that attaches to a wall outlet 12, as for example a bathroom wall outlet (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3). The organizer includes a tray 14 having a base 16 and at least an opening 18 through the base. A peripheral wall 20 extends upward from the base. In an example embodiment, the peripheral wall surrounds the entire of the periphery of the base. A frame 22 may extend directly from the base or from the peripheral wall that attaches to the outlet. Specifically, in an example embodiment, the frame includes a main portion 23 and a recessed frame portion 24. In an example embodiment, the recessed frame portion has four sides 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, and 26 d. The recessed frame portion defines an opening 28, which is smaller than an opening 30 defined by the frame main portion 23. The frame opening is sized to receive an outlet cover 32, such that when the outlet cover is placed in the recess opening, the outlet cover overlaps at least one, if not all four, of the sides 26 a-d. In this regard, the outlet cover is placed into the frame recessed opening 28, and is fastened into the wall outlet (as is normally done) overlapping at least one of the recessed side(s) 26 a-d so as to mount the organizer against the outlet. In an example embodiment, the recessed frame portion is recessed at a depth from an outer surface 33 of the frame, such that when the outlet cover is mounted onto the outlet, the outlet cover outer surface is flush with the outer frame surface 35. In other example embodiments, the outlet cover outer surface is not flush with the frame outer surface.

In an example embodiment, an extension (not shown) may extend from the frame such that when the outlet cover is placed into the opening 30 defined by the frame, it would sandwich such extension against the outlet for holding the organizer in place. In such an embodiment, a recessed frame portion may not be required. In a further example embodiment, rather than a frame opening, an outlet cover is defined extending from the base or from the periphery which can be directly mounted onto the outlet.

In a further example embodiment, leg portions 34 may extend from opposite sides of the periphery in a direction opposite the frame at the rear end of the organizer, such that they are flush with the rear of the base or the rear of the periphery or peripheral wall 20 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 3). These legs provide for stability against rotation of the organizer when weight is placed on the base of the tray. In other words, when weight is placed on the base of the tray, the tray would want to rotate urging the frame away from the outlet. The legs, however, would contact the wall surrounding the outlet and prevent such rotation.

In another example embodiment, one or more cord management hooks 36 extends below the tray (FIGS. 1, 2, and 3). Each of these cord management hooks in the shown example embodiment is a projection such as a plate like projection and includes rounded notches 38 on opposite ends thereof. These notches are formed closer or adjacent to the bottom of the base, such that projection 40 are defined below such notches. The notches define an area where the cord 42 of the charging device may be wrapped around (FIG. 2). Thus, in an example embodiment, once the organizer is mounted onto a wall over an outlet, the charging device is plugged into the outlet, the cable 42 extending from the charging device is passed through the opening 18 of the base. The cable is then wrapped around the cord management hook 36 and back through the opening 18 and onto the device 44 being charged. The plug 32 may also be passed through the opening 18. The device being charged is then rested against the tray 14. In this regard, the charging cable is wrapped nicely and neatly without taking up much space. The peripheral wall 20 serves to prevent the device from sliding off the tray. As can be seen in the shown example embodiment, the organizing tray can support at least two devices to be charged neatly without taking much space, one on either side of opening. In this regard, it is also provided with two management hooks: one management hook for each device being supported by the organizer.

In another example embodiment, any of the aforementioned example embodiment organizers does not include any openings 18 through the base and/or any cord management hooks 36.

In another example embodiments, the tray may be made longer to accommodate more than two devices. The tray may also include more than one openings for routing the charging cables there-through. In another example embodiment, only a single opening may be used through the center. If more than two devices are used, then a multi-plug may have to be plugged into one of the outlets to accommodate the multiple devices. In an example embodiment, the entire device may be molded from a single material. In another example embodiment, the device may be formed from a plastic material, such as a hard plastic material, or may be formed from metal, wood, or other sufficiently stiff materials.

While this organizer has been described to be typically used in bathrooms, it could be used anywhere and mainly on outlets to support different devices, such as cellphone, iPods, etc.

While this invention has been described in detail with particular references to embodiments thereof, the embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the exact forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of assembly and operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principles, spirit, and scope of this invention. Additionally, as used herein, the term “substantially” and similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent deviations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, as used herein, when a component is referred to as being “on” or “coupled to” another component, it can be directly on or attached to the other component or intervening components may be present therebetween. 

1. An organizer comprising: a base comprising an upper surface over a lower surface; and a frame extending from the base and above the base for receiving an outlet cover.
 2. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising at least one opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, said opening being of sufficient size for receiving at least one of an electrical cord or a plug there-through.
 3. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising a peripheral wall extending upward from the base.
 4. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising at least one projection extending from the base and below the base, wherein the projection comprises opposing rounded notches.
 5. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising at least one support member extending below the base for contacting a wall surrounding an outlet.
 6. The organizer of claim 1, wherein one of said at least one opening is vertically aligned with said frame.
 7. An organizer comprising: a base comprising an upper surface over a lower surface; and an outlet cover extending from the base and above the base.
 8. The organizer of claim 7, further comprising at least one opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, said opening being of sufficient size for receiving at least one of an electrical cord or a plug there-through.
 9. The organizer of claim 7, further comprising a peripheral wall extending upward from the base.
 10. The organizer of claim 7, further comprising at least one projection extending from the base and below the base, wherein the projection comprises opposing rounded notches.
 11. The organizer of claim 7, further comprising at least one support member extending below the base for contacting a wall surrounding an outlet.
 12. The organizer of any of claim 7, wherein one of said at least one opening is vertically aligned with said frame.
 13. An organizer comprising: a base comprising an upper surface over a lower surface; a frame extending from the base and above the base; and an outlet cover mounted onto an outlet at a wall and sandwiching at least part of the frame between the outlet cover and at least one of the wall and the outlet.
 14. The organizer of claim 13, further comprising at least one opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, said opening being of sufficient size for receiving at least one of an electrical cord or a plug there-through.
 15. The organizer of claim 13, further comprising a recessed frame portion extending from the frame, wherein at least a portion of the recessed frame portion is sandwiched between the outlet cover and at least one of the wall and the outlet.
 16. The organizer of any of claim 13, wherein at least part of the frame surrounds the outlet cover.
 17. The organizer of any of claim 13, further comprising a peripheral wall extending upward from the base.
 18. The organizer of any of claim 13, further comprising at least one projection extending from the base and below the base, wherein the projection comprises opposing rounded notches.
 19. The organizer of any of claim 13, further comprising at least one support member extending below the base for the wall.
 20. The organizer of any of claims 13, wherein one of said at least one opening is vertically aligned with said frame. 